2013 YEAR-END REVIEW: Ilhem

FAVORITE BOOK OF THE YEAR:

First Against the Wall by Manna Francis –

It’s THE explosion after about thirty stories of build-up. The deflagration left me bare and more than ever addicted.

4.5 & 5 STAR BOOKS OF 2013:

Overhyped book of the year

(What’s all the fuss about?):

“Catch a Ghost” by SE Jakes – I’m baffled by the craze for this book. It bored me to tears.

Underhyped book of the year

(Why haven’t more people read this?):

“Son of a Gun” by A.M. RILEY – I don’t understand why this book is not more appreciated. The mystery is reasonably good, the romance is teasing and sweet, it is funny and the MC is endearing : I can’t see why it is not more read. Change that please, I’d like it to become a series.

Best surprise of the year

(didn’t know what to expect or the story caught you off guard or anything that just…surprised you…):

“Tinseltown” by Barry Brennessel – Dropped jaw right from the start that I never had time to snap shut.

Auto-buy authors

(I’d buy anything these authors write, without a doubt):

Manna Francis

My reading experience in 2013:

2012 showed me that a romance book could rock my world and I spent 2013 trying to renew the experience. It didn’t happen as much as I hoped, but my beloveds gave me a blast and I am still thankful for the in-between books that gave me a pleasant time. I didn’t need that much time in-between though…

What I’m hoping for/looking forward to in my 2014 reading journey?

Same quest, really. Also, It’s probably economically stupid, but I’m wishing for less chain publishing and more genuine, even flawed stories.

I am looking forward to the goodies I stored in my virtual attic. Otherwise, I leave it up to impulsive bets, crossed fingers and luck, because it’s the best way to be surprised even though I now know better what works for me or not.

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22 comments on “2013 YEAR-END REVIEW: Ilhem”

shelley

December 27, 2013

Lets raise the glass (again) to your year ahead Ilhem. Lord knows that your hopes are my hopes for 2014, let us be awed by genuine works warts and all! Oh, and your surprise book has been added to my TBR! First Against The Wall was amazing! Great choice for book of the year. :)

A.M. Riley in overall is underrated author, I think. Because she doesn’t write as quickly as others or market herself like others. It’s too bad because I think her books have quality. She is one of my auto-read authors, in fact, even if she hasn’t written any new one in the last 1.5 years or so. Darn it!

Thanks for including Lola Dances – I did love little Lola. And for the record, I thought Erastes’ book, Junction, was one of the best novels I’d ever read. It is, however, and I admit it, on the dark side. Still, there are few authors in any genre who could spin such elegant prose.

Thank you for writing it, Mister Banis. I had such a wonderful time reading Lola’s adventures!
Junction X is an excellent novel. I loved the prose, the uncompromising portraying, the very human ambiguity, the questions it raised. It hurt, it reminded me to always be prepared for happiness, it left me with so many thoughts… It is a hard lesson though.